Joy Is a Settled Confidence in God’s Goodness
Joy Is a Settled Confidence in God’s Goodness
Joy is not the same as happiness. It is not dependent on circumstances, feelings, or the absence of pain. True joy is a lifestyle—a deep, abiding confidence in God’s goodness and presence, no matter what we face. Paul’s life radiated joy even in prison, because his hope was anchored in Christ, not in his situation.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to embrace this kind of joy. We can be honest about our struggles and still choose to trust God’s promises. Joy grows as we remember who God is and what He has done for us. It is a gift that sustains us through every season, making us people who bring hope and light to a weary world.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (KJV): “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
Reflection: What is one difficult circumstance you are facing right now? How can you choose to anchor your joy in God’s character and promises today, rather than in your situation?
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click one of the links below:
Our Website: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2OZQejO1S7Qh8he1NFvT0W?si=bb0b3590820c44e0
Joy is not the same as happiness. It is not dependent on circumstances, feelings, or the absence of pain. True joy is a lifestyle—a deep, abiding confidence in God’s goodness and presence, no matter what we face. Paul’s life radiated joy even in prison, because his hope was anchored in Christ, not in his situation.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to embrace this kind of joy. We can be honest about our struggles and still choose to trust God’s promises. Joy grows as we remember who God is and what He has done for us. It is a gift that sustains us through every season, making us people who bring hope and light to a weary world.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (KJV): “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
Reflection: What is one difficult circumstance you are facing right now? How can you choose to anchor your joy in God’s character and promises today, rather than in your situation?
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click one of the links below:
Our Website: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2OZQejO1S7Qh8he1NFvT0W?si=bb0b3590820c44e0
Recent
Joy Is a Settled Confidence in God’s Goodness
May 9th, 2025
Christ Redeems Our Painful Memories
May 8th, 2025
Gospel Fellowship Unites Beyond All Differences
May 7th, 2025
Grace and Peace Flow from Repentance and Forgiveness
May 6th, 2025
Loneliness Is a Spiritual Wound Needing Divine Healing
May 5th, 2025
Archive
2025
January
The Essence of God's HolinessGuarding Against FamiliarityThe Transcendence of God's HolinessReflecting God's Holiness in Our LivesEmbracing the Fullness of WorshipTimeless Truths for Today's ChurchUnwavering Faith in AdversityThe Majesty of Jesus RevealedLoving Jesus and His ChurchThe Urgency of Salvation
February
Shifting Focus from Self to JesusPersevering Through Tribulations with Christ's StrengthWorshiping in Faith Amidst StrugglesServing the Church with Love and DedicationEngaging in Spiritual Warfare with AwarenessPerseverance Through Shared StrengthWorship Beyond CircumstancesBuilding the Church Through ServiceEmbracing Jesus' Priestly RoleLiving Fearlessly in His PresenceGod Places Us in Strategic LocationsGood Works as a Reflection of FaithHolding Fast to the TruthPerseverance in TrialsReturning to Our First LoveTruth and Love in HarmonyGuided by the SpiritChoosing Compassion Over ContemptThe Call to Personal RepentanceEmbracing Jesus as a Living Person
March
Faithfulness Amidst TrialsBeauty Through SufferingThe Cost of CompromiseThe Promise of Eternal LifeLiving SacrificiallyThe Subtle Drift of CompromiseRecognizing the Reality of Spiritual WarfareSteadfast Faith in the Face of PersecutionGuarding Against Worldly InfluenceThe Timeless Truth of ScriptureFaithfulness Amidst AdversityNo Justification for SinThe Perils of CompromiseThe Urgency of RepentanceEmbracing a New Identity in ChristDiscernment in ToleranceRecognizing Christ's AuthorityAvoiding the Pitfall of CompromiseEmbracing the Call to RepentanceThe Promise of Eternal RewardSpiritual Vitality Over Religious Activity
April
Personal Responsibility in FaithThe Danger of RoutineRecognizing Modern IdolatryThe Mission Field at Our DoorstepFaithfulness Beyond CircumstancesReturning to the BasicsStrength in WeaknessAttentiveness to God's PrioritiesEndurance for Eternal RewardTrue Wealth Lies in Spiritual RichesThe Peril of Lukewarm FaithEmbracing Correction as an Act of LovePersonal Responsibility in FaithSharing in Christ's Sovereign RuleForgiveness Beyond GuiltResurrection and New BeginningsGrace Overcomes Sin's SeverityFulfillment Through ForgivenessJesus, Our MediatorJoy Anchored in Christ, Not CircumstancesThe Emptiness of Cultural PromisesThe Pitfall of Superficial Religion
2024
No Comments